This is a mix of country, pop, oldies, classics, and folk . . . Some of which that has been big influences and others that have been on my recent Spotify rotation.

Phosphorescent – Cocaine Lights

“Pride” is one of the most beautiful and well made albums of the last decade for folk music. The cover itself is raw and true. Mathew Hock recorded everything himself, hitting the mind and soul just right. Always comes into my rotation every few years to take me back right where I left off.

Perfume Genius – My Body

My buddy from Oakland introduced this guy to me a few weeks ago and I haven’t stopped listening. This track has a Fever Ray sound to it that hits deep. Its scary and beautiful. Like a train wreck- so horrible to watch but cannot look away. Great album in a whole.

The Mattoid – Breaking Wind

This is a Finnish dude that found himself in Nashville working with the best musicians in town to create the funny yet serious album “Glory Holey”. This song takes me to the times when its just you and the road. How nice it is.

Gillian Welche – Down Along The Dixie Line

Best female country voice around. Amazing guitar and vocal harmonies with David Rawlings. Puts me back home – America, and how chaotic, tragic, and beautiful it all is.

This song is one of those “trying to find your way back home” songs. Yet, you can never go home again . . .

John Fahey – Sligo River Blues

John Fahey of course. One of the most influential guitarist of all time. This song is simple and sweet. Speaks for itself.

Cass McCombs – Opium Flower

This song is perfect in every way. The groove, tempo, drums, tired and sad vocals that follows his sloppy guitar. This is another song that comes into my playlist every now and then that leaves me with a hopeful yet hopeless feeling. No idea what he’s saying, but doesn’t matter.

Bert Jansch – High Days

Jansch is a big name from the English folk scene of the 60´s, If you don’t know already. The album “The Black Swan” was released in 2006 that includes this track. Love the clear guitar and lyrics. Reminds me of the good days with old and lost friends. Is it the same as it was? Have we changed at all? Or maybe too much? Leaves a lot to the imagination.

Karen Dalton – Something On Your Mind

Karen is a lost name in the New York Greenwich folk era of the 60´s. She is just now gaining the recognition she deserves. Dalton always takes me back to winters in New York. High and drunk, singing this track to myself on the cold streets of Brooklyn. When that lap steel comes in after the first word “yesterday”. Damn.

Patsy Cline – When You Need A Laugh

Oh Patsy. A classic and in hearts of whoever loves country. Her voice seriously hurts my heart when she hits those notes at the top of her throat at the end of the verse. Cline knows all about love and loss. Everyone can relate and learn a thing or two from this woman.

Nina Simone – Baltimore

Opening track to the classic album “Baltimore”. Great story about the rough streets of Baltimore. Again, it shows the tranquil chaos of America. Funky groove and cinematic strings makes everyones ears perk to her already idiosyncratic voice we all know so well.

The Rolling Stones – You Got The Silver

Another great country tune from The Stones. Written and sung by Keith Richards, it really shows how diverse and great musicians the band was. Muddy slide guitar throughout the whole track that makes the song. One of those tracks about that perfect someone that will take you or leave you.

Amen Dunes – Bedroom Drum

This is just one of the songs that doesn’t have much of description with it. It just has those elements of a song that you can’t argue with. The dirty guitar with distant vocals and constant beat.

Love the track name. Was thinking of naming my next project that.

Lee Hazlewood – The Night Before

Hazlewood actually had a huge infatuation with Sweden. He made a movie in Sweden titled after the expression “A House Made For Tigers”and an album called “A Cowboy In Sweden”. This song tells it all too well, though. Fantastic horns and cinematic strings. Talks about the shame and regret of that drunken night before. Yup, you know.

Bobby Bare – How I Got To Memphis

Classic country tune. Its about the crazy things your heart does when you love someone. Even if it means leaving all you know behind. I can relate.